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Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by
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Deck Safety Month and a good time to inspect decks for the
upcoming deck season. A thorough inspection is important: More than
40 million decks in the U.S. are older than 20 years, and deck
failures and injuries are increasing. Take advantage of Deck Safety
Month by using the following tips and resources to carefully
inspect your deck and make it hazard-free. When inspecting, take
time to check: Railings and balusters Are balusters or railings
rotted or corroded? Do they need replacing? If so, you might
consider a complete swap with durable and long-lasting composite or
metal materials such...
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Wednesday, May 1, 2013 by
Now that warmer temperatures are taking hold,
people are heading to their favorite outdoor spots, like the deck.
Once primarily used for sunbathing, decks have grown into outdoor
living spaces to work, relax, cook, dine and entertain -- day or
night. And deck options have grown with them. Here are a few basics
any deck planner should consider: Decking materials Wood, composite
or plastic? It’s perhaps the most important - and most difficult --
choice to make because cost, durability and maintenance needs can
vary significantly. Wood can be the most affordable or the most
expensive...
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013 by
By introducing new colors, materials and products for decks
and rails, manufacturers have opened up the doors for homeowners to
add more personality to their outdoor spaces. They also have swept
away a few dusty rules of decking, such as the need to maintain a
uniform color and material. Now, deck colors and materials no
longer need to match. They can just coordinate. Fortunately,
the options are simple enough that you don't need to hire a
professional designer. But it pays to be aware of the new products
and materials that are available, the color options that come with
them, and the ways...
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Friday, September 28, 2012 by
You've decided to add a new composite deck to your home. A wise
investment. Composite decking, such as natural-looking materials
from Latitudes Decking and Railing , brings visual appeal
to your home and expands your living space. The first step is to
decide what design best fits your use. While the size of your house
and yard, along with your budget, will impact your design options,
there are still a multitude of choices to be made during this
important planning phase. Basic Composite Deck Designs If you have
a smaller backyard, a limited budget or simply prefer a minimalist
approach to...
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Monday, August 13, 2012 by
Boaters and folks who live on the water — whether it’s an ocean,
lake or river — know better than any of us the toll the elements
take on almost anything left outdoors unprotected. And structures,
such as docks, intended to be wet most of the time, don’t last long
unless the proper materials are chosen to begin with. So when
residential or business owners invest in something as substantial
as a new dock, they want durability, sustainability,
low-maintenance, and above all, longevity — ensuring years of easy
use and enjoyment. With Latitudes composite decking and composite
marine decking,...
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Thursday, May 3, 2012 by
Now that warm weather has arrived, you’ll be outside more; your
outdoor space should be an area that you truly enjoy and are proud
to show off to guests. You may not need a complete deck remodel to
achieve that level of perfection. With some smart deck upgrades you
can create an upscale look for less. Start by looking at the deck
railing itself. More than just a safety feature, the railing is one
of the most prominent design elements of any deck, and changing it
is a cost-effective way to make an eye-catching statement.
Remember, your railing doesn’t have to match your current deck
material....
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Friday, April 27, 2012 by
It’s pretty simple actually. Design and build a treated
lumber deck or composite lumber deck based on the types of
activities planned for the outdoor living space. But a good rule of
thumb is that you should not exceed twenty-percent of the home's
interior square footage. Take time to consider how your family will
spend time enjoying the deck, because if you build an expansive
deck that’s too big you’ve wasted money on unnecessary material and
space that won’t be used. And conversely, if you build a deck
that’s too small, it’s going to cost even more to add on to the
existing structure. Your...
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Friday, April 27, 2012 by
Looking to demolish or reskin your treated lumber deck or
composite deck surface? Consider using the Deck Wrecker for fast
and easy removal of deck boards. This easy-to-use tool has several
great features and benefits that make it the best tool for deck
board removal. Easily removes deck boards The Deck Wrecker's curved
rocker design rolls onto joists for quick board removal. Provides
Maximum Leverage The Deck Wrecker's 44-inch fiberglass handle saves
your back, hands and fingers from the strain of conventional
decking removal. The padded handle provides extra comfort and grip.
Compatible...
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Thursday, March 29, 2012 by
Deckorators CXT Deck Railing is co-extruded from two layers of
materials—making this one beautiful and tough railing system. The
core is made with Strandex—the most tested and trusted composite
technology—while the outer cap-stock layer gives CXT Composite Deck
Railing the look of painted wood and makes it ultra scratch- and
weather-resistant. Deckorators CXT code-compliant deck railing is
available in white, black and bronze colors and boasts a 20-year
limited warranty for piece of mind. Deckorators CXT Deck Railing
Installation Video The unique "U-Bracket" design provides a
fastener-free...
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Thursday, March 29, 2012 by
Periodic washing with soap and water is necessary to remove surface
dirt and chalk that accumulate on the surface of a composite deck.
This will also prevent the build-up of pollen and debris that can
cause mold and mildew growth. Pressure washers should be used for
wetting and rinsing only. Pressure washers should not be used to
“blast-off” soiling agents; attempting to do so can drive the dirt
deeper into the material. Test on an inconspicuous area before
washing the entire deck. Basic Deck Cleaning Agents: Deck
wash/cleaners usually contain sodium percarbonate and a detergent,
which is...
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by
Decks are a great “value add” for residents, but property managers
face plenty of risks—including having a deck collapse—if their deck
isn’t regularly inspected and maintained. It’s happening more
frequently than many property managers and homeowners realize.
Between 2003 and 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
reported 224,740 injuries caused by outdoor decks and porches.
“What’s happening across this country is an epidemic at this
point,” says Michael Beaudry, executive vice president of the North
American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), adding that “in most
cases if a deck...
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by
Deckorators, the nation’s leading brand of deck balusters and
decorative railing accessories, has introduced another industry
first called VersaCaps™ — decorative post caps with nested inserts
that allow for a snug fit over the most common size deck and fence
posts. With new VersaCaps, post size is no longer a barrier when
choosing the right post cap for your project. VersaCaps come with
three inserts perfectly nested inside the base, making them
adaptable for virtually any post ranging from 3-1/2”x3-1/2” to
4-5/8”x4-5/8”. The true-fitting nested inserts take the
guesswork out of matching up...
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012 by
Latitudes Composite Decking bolsters its deck accessory lineup with
decorative, metal fascia corners. The new fascia corners will be
available in the spring of 2012 and can be seen in the Latitudes
booth (W429) during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando.
Latitudes decorative fascia corners are a stylish way to dress up
deck skirting and cover corner joints. Each corner is sold
individually and installs easily with eight color-matched screws
(provided). Made of stainless steel and powder-coated black, fascia
corners are available in Leaf and Ridge designs and are offered in
7,” 9” and...
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by
The current economy has many homeowners looking at how they can add
value to their real estate investment. If you're considering a
variety of projects to enhance your property, adding a new deck
should be at the top of your list. A deck is a valuable addition
for many reasons. First, it expands your living space so your
family can enjoy more time at home. Second, the right deck adds
style to your exterior so your home is more visually appealing.
Finally, it provides a solid return on investment - nearly 63
percent for composite decking, according to the 2011-2012 Cost vs.
Value Report by...
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Friday, October 28, 2011 by
Unlike wooden structures, composite decking never needs to be
sanded, stripped or stained. In fact, composite deck cleaning is
usually as easy as some soap, water and a brush. One word of
caution – avoid using paint thinner or similar solvents on
composite decking, as these products can affect the finish and
grain of the material. See cleaning recommendations for cleaning
Latitudes Composite Decking. See blog on Cleaning a wood deck in
the Fall. Visit my video blog on Cleaning Latitudes Intrepid
Composite Decking.
read more
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by
In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of
trying to sell a house when there’s snow on the ground and the
trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes
throughout the year. While winter may not be the optimum season to
showcase your landscaping, there is one improvement you can make
that will help you boost your home’s outdoor appeal no matter what
the season: a deck. When potential buyers visit your home in
winter, they might not be able to envision how green and lovely
your backyard will look come spring. But they will be able to see
with their own...
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011 by
What makes Latitudes composite decking special is the Strandex
technology it employs. Like individual strands of a rope make the
rope stronger, Strandex technology makes Latitudes composite
decking products stronger. Strandex technology offers superior
protection against UV degradation and water absorption, because
every “strand” of wood fiber is encased in high-density
polyethylene. Latitudes uses Strandex inside, so you can be assured
that you’re getting the highest, most consistent quality and
strongest composite product available in the industry. Has Strandex
Technology been tested in...
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Monday, August 29, 2011 by
Long gone are the days when deck railings could only be wood.
Today, you’ll find residential deck railing options in kits made of
aluminum, composite material and vinyl or acrylic. Each material
has its unique advantages. Deckorators’ aluminum deck railing is
durable and lightweight. It’s ultra low maintenance and won’t rot,
corrode or stain. It’s a great choice for decks, docks, balconies
or anywhere that strength and durability are especially important.
If you like the look of wood but crave superior low maintenance and
durability, composite deck railing like Latitudes Intrepid can be
an...
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Monday, August 29, 2011 by
With summer winding down and cooler weather approaching, it’s a
great time to think about upgrading your treated wood or composite
lumber deck. Updating your deck’s railing is one of the easiest,
most versatile ways to make your outdoor living area unique and
more appealing. If you’ve never really thought about the function
and design of your deck railing, keep in mind a few key points:
Railing is an important safety feature, especially if your deck is
several feet off the ground. It’s important to maintain a
code-compliant deck railing to ensure it provides adequate
protection against...
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Thursday, June 30, 2011 by
You’ve probably heard the expression “God is in the details.” Well,
when it comes to creating a truly unique and beautiful deck design,
the right mix of details can create a heavenly result. Every deck
is essentially a blank canvas. Adding design details such as
ornamental post caps, decorative balusters and deck inlays, can
turn your blank canvas into a custom deck that is a work of art.
Not sure which details will work best for your tastes and design
parameters? Deck design software can help you envision how your
deck will look with the addition of certain details. The Deck
Visualizer is a...
read more
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